Why do all the LBJ threads get locked?

[skEwb]

I think it is kind of funny that we don't have a Kobe thread about him going to Europe -- after all he is the best player in the NBA according the Laker fans. Kobe's contract is running out real soon too which means he just might beat Lebron to Europe --- Moscow would be perfect since they like it rough there too.

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant playing in Europe? NBA dismisses talk of mass exodus

But the league would sure be alarmed if Kobe Bryant wasn't joking when he told reporters after a pre-Olympic exhibition game: "Italy, Greece, Russia, $40 million a year? Yeah, I'm there, as simple as that."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/26356124.html

David Stern would croak the minute Kobe and LeBron bolt for Europe

I take that back... David Stern would commit suicide if that happened

He could remove the salary cap and give players a percentage of their jersey sales like they give players in Europe for selling more merch. Suicide avoided, superstars kept. It just takes quick thinking and pulling the trigger

[rjgraca]

Seems like there are a lot of inherent dangers in Europe like no guarantee that the player get's paid if the club changes it's mind short of going to court which can take awhile.

Should NBA fear a mass exodus of talent to Europe?

Bartelstein, who represents players in the NBA and overseas, believes European leagues could eventually be an option for the likes of James, Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh once the issue of guaranteed contracts is cleared up. Bartelstein said he's had to go to court in the past to get teams to pay the full amount of deals to his clients.

"Without there being a players association and a collective bargaining agreement in Europe, there's nothing behind the contract to enforce them other than to go to court," Bartelstein said. "For Europe to truly get to the point where they can compete with the NBA for all kinds of players, they're going to have to implement a system where there's a lot more comfort that the contracts are truly guaranteed. Once that happens then I think you'll truly see great competition for players."

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5glhf ... wD92D25U80